Bill Controls Use Of Ether

March 6, 1986

TALLAHASSEE — Hoping to stop the growth of cocaine processing laboratories in South Florida, a House committee Wednesday passed a bill outlawing the unlicensed possession or sale of large amounts of ether.

Ether is used to refine cocaine into its usable form. The bill would make unlicensed sale or manufacture of more than 2 1/2 gallons of ether a second- degree felony; simple possession a third-degree felony.

The bill exempts numerous professionals from the proposed law, including pharmacists, physicians and hospitals. Any other person or firm would have to apply for an annual permit.